Mohammad Akram
Baramulla, situated in the north-west, one of the largest districts of Jammu and Kashmir, famous for its lush green forests, snowclad mountains, and serene beauty held the jewels in crown in all aspects of the erstwhile state. Once at the centre-stage of economic, political, and strategic activities; it lost relevance, in a staggered manner, post-independence. Broken many a time into pieces to create separate administrative domains, and due to shifting of the trade routes, it has been devoid of its economic and political spaces. However, the district has gained more strategic importance, post the Indo-Pak conflicts. Being border area, the district has witnessed bloodshed, severe military scrutiny and fierce militant activities during the era of militancy, yet, it could maintain the colours of communal harmony and internal peace.
Gulmarg, the solo tourist attraction in the district from the last seven decades is rapidly being augmented by many more alternatives since the abrogation of Article 370. Return of peace, especially in the last decade led to the search and exploration of other virgin tourist spots to attract tourists across the lengths and breadth of the country. Recent developments, which lead to the softening of some border tourist destinations by the army viz. Alaipatri Frozen Lake, Butapathri, Kaman Aman Setu Post in Uri, Bangus etc for tourists leading to the inflow of more tourists, thereby boosting local economy. Yet, there are many lesser explored tourist destinations, especially the pilgrimage/religious places that demands tourist attention. Shailputri Asthapan/Temple in the heart of Baramulla town is one amongst such places.
Shailputri Devi, (‘Shail’ meaning rock- because Devi is believed to have manifested spontaneously from this rock)the first among the nine Durga Devi manifestations as per the Sanatan belief, belongs to the Shakti-cult of Hindu deities. The rock on which the Devi manifested holds the base upon which a structure in the form of temple was built, probably in the early 70’s in the twentieth century by some army officer, is situated on the South-western end of the main town Baramulla on the banks of Vythesta (River Jhelum) on Srinagar Muzaffarabad road. The Shailputri Devi Asthapan has a Greater Shakti mountain behind it, sacredly known as Bairavbal that guards it from one side. The spot is also the gateway to Uri Valley.
Locals believe that this Teerath-Sthan (naturally created shrine) existed prior to Satisar. “The Shailputri Devi manifested from fifty two pieces (52) of rock in the form of flames, which had to be doused/controlled, thus, the waters surrounded it, turning this place into Satisar”, said Suneel Jee, one of the local Pandits. As per the statement, the Asthapan existed since thousands of years. However, the Temple structure has been created recently. The temple has been repaired in 1997 by the Army’s 19 Infantry Division first and later in 2016-17, as its eastern side was severely damaged due to land erosion in 2016. Currently, construction works in the Teerath-Sthan are under way. Sooner, a temple shall be constructed, once the levelling is complete. “There is a large rock beneath this Teerathsthal, as was pointed out by the engineers during its recent construction works, which corroborates to our beliefs”, says Suneel Jee. Half a kilometre ahead, there is one famous Shrine of Hazrat Janbaz e Wali (RA) at Khanpora, existing since last seven centuries. Muslims and Hindus always coexisted in this town in communal harmony. Shailputri Mandir has never witnessed any attacks during militancy, not even in its zenith.
A temple SanatanDharm Sabha, democratically elected body looks after the daily activities in temple. “We witness, hundreds of devotees, especially locals and security personnel on daily basis, besides, hundreds gather on special occasions to get blessing from Mata”, says Guari Vijain aka Gauri Shailputri, who is the daily caretaker. One of the glaring beauties at this place is that the Mandir has a woman caretaker as an epitome of Kashmiri culture, which empowers its women, even in religious affairs.
Shailputri Devi Teerath Sthal could be regarded equal to Shri Mata Vaishnov Devi, as this is the first among the nine manifestations of Durga Mata, as per the local Pandits, thus, Government should take steps to develop this important religious spot. This shall boost the local economy, apart from bringing this all important religious spot on the world tourist map.
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